Chapter 23: The Inevitable Battle, Part 2
The wolf's amber eyes resembled those of a predator choosing its prey. Taylor was sure that if he didn't offer it enough orc blood and flesh, the beast would select its victim without hesitation.
At that tense moment, Taylor held a playing card, looking thoughtfully at the soldier beside him.
"K—"
He barely began the word when the soldier fixed him with a sharp, intimidating gaze that made Taylor reconsider.
"Katie," he muttered nervously, "drive slower…"
With trembling hands, Taylor opened his cards and played them one by one, clutching the last firmly.
The others showed no surprise, but only Taylor knew there were people worse at cards than himself.
He breathed a sigh of relief. His cleverness had preserved the dignity and wallet of the Space Marine guest, while maintaining his own reputation solidly at the bottom of the list—just where he preferred it.
After all, Space Wolves were notorious for sudden changes in temper. God only knew whether this one would hold a grudge and call in favors from his hot-headed brothers.
Thinking of this, Taylor scanned the surroundings through Ferenstein's observation hole.
A restless horde of orc engines prowled ahead with them, yet Ferenstein blended effortlessly into the mass.
But approaching the massive war engine was no simple task—it raced ahead at dizzying speed, protected by countless greenskins.
Taylor and his men had no choice but to wait for a chance.
Fortunately, the orcs dared not attack the Space Marine base directly. If that behemoth halted, orbital lances would reduce it to slag.
It was like a game of Beast Battle Chess.
The War Fortress feared the Space Marines' orbital lances, but as long as ground forces couldn't stop it, the massive war engine kept moving—never lingering long enough to be bombarded.
The cycle spun dizzyingly in Taylor's mind. He realized he was the mouse trying to swallow the elephant.
For now, they had to follow the orc convoy, pretending to be just another green vehicle.
Thankfully, Taylor's imitation of orc mannerisms was flawless—even a Space Marine who joined mid-ride admitted he could hardly tell the difference.
Taylor felt a surge of pride.
He'd once dubbed the greenskins' secondary creation videos in his previous life.
The Imperial Guard truly were multi-talented—surviving forty grim millennia while traveling through time demanded such skill.
Using this disguise, Taylor slipped in unnoticed.
The only problem was the orcs' endless carnivals.
The driver had to keep one eye on green vehicles closing in constantly, and one finger on speed and control.
Taylor worried whether both Ferenstein and Katie could hold out under the pressure.
The wolf, sensing Taylor's thoughts, gave a reassuring pat on his shoulder.
"I'm 120 years old. Don't look so worried. I've seen a lot."
His carefree smile made Taylor doubt him.
Why did he believe this battle-hardened warrior? Simply because he was a Space Marine?
Taylor let his eyes wander over the warm, vibrant world—so unlike the hives he'd known as home during two decades.
This was paradise: grass waving, living things buzzing, food fresh and plentiful.
He thought about Freeblade, Tychus, and his comrades.
He didn't want to run like a stray dog at the last moment.
He needed to steel himself—he was a lowly mortal in a universe of titans.
And nothing but luck held him upright.
He glanced at the wild wolf with envy.
A commanding presence—free and unrestrained, empowered by the Emperor himself.
"Why am I not a Space Marine, but just an Imperial Guardsman?"
Then Taylor suddenly laughed aloud.
"Heh, I'm doing fine. I don't want to die, but I swore this oath in the Emperor's Hall."
Where brothers swore with soul and spirit:
"I will shepherd billions of people with my soul, and cross the netherworld with my delicate spirit!"
Taylor smiled and looked at the soldier.
"I've already found the answer. I'm just too stubborn to admit it—I'm a fool."
The wolf grinned back, baring Fenrisian fangs.
Frenstein slowed to a crawl.
Through the observation slit, Taylor watched green vehicles shutting down one by one.
They'd slipped into a canyon—safe from bombardment by bombs or orbital lances.
Taylor breathed in deeply.
"Smart bastards. At least they know where to hide."
"They fear nothing. As long as that fortress stands, humanity will eventually lose."
The wild wolf's voice was grave.
"Do you think we can change this?"
His gaze fixed on the distant fortress, pounding through Taylor's armored hull as if the weight was physical.
Taylor hefted a violent bomb, muscles tensing.
He seemed to read the warrior's thoughts.
The veteran who survived countless wars sighed softly.
Few understood him.
They called him coward, fool, but others hailed him as a hero.
He never wished to be a hero in his life.
Taylor turned to his brothers.
"Ready to die?"
"The legend of Class 15 is ending. Maybe classmates will remember us. But we're far from glory."
"Still, even if we fall, we won't fail the Emperor."
"We'll meet before the Golden Throne, under the Emperor's command. We'll share another drink—make up for a lost dinner."
"No," said Lightling, shaking her head.
"I want to retire peacefully."
Corporal Katie's voice was firm.
"I'll get everyone out, including this Flintstone."
Roland hefted explosives silently.
His well-maintained gun spoke instead:
We're alive.
Taylor ruffled his hair.
"I swear, I saw a ghost today."
He, who always sought escape, now saw others choosing to fight.
Imperial officers said Taylor had finally become a qualified commander—one who gave everything for the Emperor: himself and his brothers.
Yet the truth remained:
Following procedure does not guarantee victory.
Sacrifice and bravery do not equal greatness.
Taylor grinned.
"You never listen to me."
He faced the wild wolf crouching before him, limbs folded, poised like a beast ready to pounce.
"Great Wolf, ready?"
The warrior said nothing, his muscles coiled, body tense.
Taylor slowly stepped out of the transporter, shouting amidst explosions and war cries.
"36th Skadi Regiment, 3rd Company, 15th Squad! All personnel, obey orders!"
"Charge the orc fortress!"